Baltimore Running Festival registrations down in 2015

Organizers blame April riots for scaring off some runners

The Baltimore Running Festival is about a month away. Runners will take over the streets and celebrate athleticism and civic pride. But something is missing this year: runners. Race organizers are working to attract more runners to the 15th annual festival as many express concern about the area after April's riots.

Related Content

Race organizers are working to attract more runners to the 15th annual festival as many express concern about the area after April's riots.

"Fifteen years ago when we started, we had about 6,500 runners, so we've been able to grow it exponentially," said Lee Corrigan, president of Corrigan Sports, which organizes the running festival.

From the initial event in 2001, the festival continued to grow, attracting nearly 26,000 runners and representing 23 countries last year. This year, about 15,000 runners have registered.

Race organizers believe that it has to do with the civil unrest in April, saying fewer out-of-town runners have registered this year.

"We have received a number of emails from people expressing concern," Corrigan said.

Fewer runners on the streets of Baltimore means less money for the city. The Running Festival generates an estimated $40 million for the city, and almost $1.5 million for the charities that are associated with the event.

Race organizers are trying to change the course for registrations. They are selling T-shirts, with the proceeds supporting local charities. They will launch a social media campaign on Monday and will tweet out a different photo from along the course every day.

"We're going to take an interesting look at the city, with 26 unique stops in the city," Corrigan said.

Corrigan said each tweet will highlight a unique spot on the course. His hope is that it will help get local runners moving in the right direction and showing off their city pride. He doesn't want to lose runners to marathons in other cities.

"We need you more than ever," Corrigan said. "Don't choose Richmond. Don't choose Philly. Don't choose New York or Marine Corps. They are good races, but we need you. Choose Baltimore."